(1)

On 16 February 2011 Kenya requested, in accordance with Article 36 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007, a derogation from the rules of origin set out in that Annex for a period of one year. On 20 September 2011 Kenya submitted additional information relating to its request. The request covers a total quantity of 2 000 tonnes of tuna loins of HS heading 1604. The request is made because catches and supply of originating raw tuna have decreased and because of the problem of piracy.

(2)

According to the information provided by Kenya catches of raw originating tuna are unusually low even compared to the normal seasonal variations and have led to a decrease in production of tuna loins. In addition, Kenya has pointed out the risk involved due to piracy during the supply of raw tuna. This abnormal situation makes it impossible for Kenya to comply with the rules of origin laid down in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 during a certain period.

(3)

To ensure continuity of importations from the ACP countries to the Union as well as a smooth transition from the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement to the Agreement establishing a framework for an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement), a new derogation should be granted with retroactive effect from 1 January 2011.

(4)

A temporary derogation from the rules of origin laid down in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 would not cause serious injury to an established Community industry taking into account the imports concerned, provided that certain conditions relating to quantities, surveillance and duration are respected.

(5)

It is therefore justified to grant a temporary derogation under Article 36(1)(a) of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007.

(6)

Kenya will benefit from an automatic derogation from the rules of origin for tuna loins of HS heading 1604 pursuant to Article 41(8) of the Origin Protocol attached to the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement, when that Agreement enters into force or is provisionally applied.

(7)

In accordance with Article 4(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 the rules of origin set out in Annex II to that Regulation and the derogations from them are to be superseded by the rules of the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement, the entry into force or provisional application of which is expected to take place in 2012. The derogation should therefore apply until 31 December 2011. Whilst a derogation is still to be granted in 2011, the overall situation, including the state of ratification of the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement, will be reassessed in 2012.

(8)

In accordance with Article 41(8) of the Origin Protocol attached to the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement, the automatic derogation from the rules of origin is limited to an annual quota of 2 000 tonnes of tuna loins for the countries having initialled the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi). Kenya is the only country in the region that currently exports tuna loins to the Union. It is therefore appropriate to grant to Kenya a derogation under Article 36 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 in respect of 2 000 tonnes of tuna loins, quantity which does not exceed the full annual quota granted to the EAC region under the EAC-EU Interim Partnership Agreement.

(9)

Accordingly a derogation should be granted to Kenya in respect of 2 000 tonnes of tuna loins for a period of one year.

(10)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (2) lays down rules relating to the management of tariff quotas. In order to ensure efficient management carried out in close cooperation between the authorities of Kenya, the customs authorities of the Member States and the Commission, those rules should apply mutatis mutandis to the quantities imported under the derogation granted by this Decision.

(11)

In order to allow efficient monitoring of the operation of the derogation, the authorities of Kenya should communicate regularly to the Commission details of the EUR.1 movement certificates issued.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,